small village. It was taken near the then residence of Col. James Cunningham, on the Wapakoneta road. The stream shown in the view is the Ottawa river, often called Hog river-a name derived from the following circumstance: McKee, the

British Indian agent, who resided at the Machachac towns, on Mad river, during the incursion of Gen. Logan in 1786, was obliged to flee with his effects. He had his swine driven on to the borders of this stream; the Indians thereafter called it

Koshko sepe, which signifies Hog river. The eccentric Count Coffenbury, in his poem, "The Forest Rangers," terms it Swinonia. A sketch of the count is given elsewhere in this work, with extracts from his amusing poetry.

Although a substantial and growing manufacturing city, it was not until May,

1885, that it was discovered that Lima was in the largest oil-field known on the globe, not even excepting the famous Russian oil-fields. Its discovery was a matter of accident, the history of which, and the position of Lima a year later consequent upon it, has thus been given.

"It was while boring for gas at his paper-mill that Mr. B. C. Faurot found oil at a depth of 1,251 feet, and though Eastern speculators pronounced the product worthless, they soon leased land. In the following August (1885) a citizens' company was formed and a well was put down, which yielded about sixty barrels per diem. When the manufactories began to use the oil for fuel it brought the low price of forty cents a barrel. The work began in earnest in February, 1886, when the Mandeville company, from Olean, N. Y., leased land known as the Shade farm, at the suburbs of the city, and opened wells which made 200 barrels a day. When refined, the oil proved to be an article of excellent quality. Other wells were soon sunk, and some of them were found to yield some 600 barrels daily. A refinery was built; the work moved on rapidly, and in less than one year there was an increase of at least 1,500 more inhabitants. There are now about 116 oilwells, with a flow of about 5,000 barrels a day from 125 or more wells. A firm has for some time been manufacturing rigs. Drilling is going on, and another refinery is about to be erected, with a capacity of 2,500 barrels per day. An average of thirty-five wells is developed each month. The Standard Oil Company is now erecting a refinery."

By May, 1887, there were seventy wells in the city of Lima, and in the entire Lima field over 300. What is termed the Lima oil-field extends southwest about twenty-five miles, through Wapakoneta and St. Mary's, in Auglaize county, into Mercer county, just south of Celina. The entire profitable oil territory of Northwestern Ohio is much larger. It covers all of Allen and Hancock counties, the south part of Wood, and parts of Seneca, Wyandot, Hardin, Putnam, Auglaize, and Mercer counties. The general position of Lima at this period (May, 1887) was thus defined by President Baxter, of the Board of Trade:

"The enterprise and dash of our people is inherited; it came to us from our fathers who are dead and gone. We are reaping the benefits of their labors and sacrifices. We have a magnificent agricultural country, as fine railroad facilities as any city in the country. For thirty years we have had a substantial, healthy growth, with scarcely a single backset. We have the general shops of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton, and Lake Erie and Western railroads; a machineworks, with a specialty that brings orders from all parts of the globe; a strawboard and egg-case concern, with facilities that cannot be excelled on earth; a contract car-shops, that employ more men than the combined industries of our neighboring town of Findlay; two wagon and carriage material manufacturers, that manage to disturb the markets of the country by the cheapness of their products. The town is filled with little concerns of all kinds in the manufacturing line, and last night a single bank in the city paid 1,800 checks to skilled labor employed in the various industries. In addition to what we have had heretofore, the past year has developed here the largest oil-field in area in the world, and of which Lima is the nucleus. Within ten months probably $5,000,000 of capital has been brought in, and the future of Lima as the head-centre of the oil distribution is fixed and assured by the action of the Standard Oil Company in building here the largest and most complete refinery in their entire system. Two other pipe-lines and a refinery, operated by gritty young fellows, are also in operation, and more coming. We have 500 oil-wells in operation, with a daily production of 20,000 barrels, and there is already stored, within a radius of a few miles, probably 1,000,000 barrels of oil, with the oil business as yet only in its toddling infancy, the developed territory being capable of sustaining fifty-fold more wells and operated with much greater economy. The possibilities of the oil business are simply beyond comprehension to the ordinary mind, and those actively engaged in the production, handling, and purchase seem the most muddled of all. These are

the things that bring the solid wealth to our coffers. To spend it we have, to begin with, a daisy town. We have a system of public-schools that are as near perfection as can be made, and, by the way, we have scrupulously kept the schools out of politics and religion. Every denomination of church is represented. We go to the handsomest little opera-house in the West. For a nickel we can ride two miles on a splendidly equipped electrical street-railroad. For light we can use electricity or gas, each the very perfection of their kind; and for thirst and cleanliness a system of water-works has been provided that, although it broke our hearts and exhausted our purses to build them, more than compensate for all they cost. As to natural gas, we already have enough to set the ordinary village crazy. From a circular issued in Lima early in the year 1888 we extract some interesting details relating to the oil refineries:

In the development of the oil industry, the new concerns that have grown up within the past two years are too numerous to mention. Among the heaviest producers of crude oil may be mentioned the Ohio Oil Company, with a capital of one million dollars. They are producing over 4,000 barrels daily, and when a fair price is obtained for Lima Crude," have the territory and facilities for increasing their production fourfold. Schofield, Shermer & Teagle, oil refiners of Cleveland, have about fifty producing wells, with fifteen miles of pipe line, and a tankage capacity of 150,000 barrels. They have employed in this field somewhere near $200,000. The Buckeye Pipe Line Company have some 250 miles of pipe line, about 170large iron tanks of 36,000 barrels capacity each, and employ in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 in taking care of the product of the field. The Excelsior Pipe Line has something over thirty miles of pipe, with a tankage capacity of about 100,000 barrels, and employ $100,000 in taking care of the crude product. The Eagle Consolidated

Refinery has a capacity of 1,000 barrels of refined oil daily. They own sixty tank cars, have fourteen acres of land upon which their works are located, and a capital of $100,000 is invested. The Solar Refinery has 121 acres of land upon which their works are located and employ a capital of half a million dollars. Their capacity is 5,000 barrels daily. The Solar is probably the largest refinery in the. country, and additions are being made constantly to the works. During the past year and a half more than a million dollars has been used in the erection of new business buildings, manufacturing establishments and dwelling-houses, and the present year promises still greater investments in building enterprises. Real estate in Lima and throughout the county has always been held at very moderate values. The county is one of the finest agricultural districts in the State, wheat, corn and oats being the staple products, and there is hardly an acre in the county that is not capable of cultivation.

The great enterprise of piping oil from the Lima fields to Chicago manufacturing establishments is now, in this the year 1888, being undertaken by the Standard Oil Company, who practically control all the oil territory around Lima. The total length of pipe will be about 210 miles, and the entire investment aggregate over $2,000,000.

The view of the derricks was taken from a bridge, the successor of the covered bridge over the Ottawa shown in the old view of Lima, and looking easterly. The oil-wells, with their derricks, are a marked feature of this entire region. Nowhere are they so plentiful as around the town. Experience soon showed they were often too close for profit, sometimes not over an acre apart, when the flow proved too weak one well in ten acres was found near enough. The life of a well on the Bradford, Pennsylvania, oil-field is usually about ten years; how long in that of Lima remains to be tested. A single steam-engine in places answers for the pumping of several wells, the power being transmitted from well to well by cables and shafting. The wells are named from the original proprietors of the land. To illustrate, one is named "Shade well, No. 11," it being the eleventh well on the land of Mr. Nelson Shade. The cost of drilling for wells varies from sixty-five cents to $1.50 a foot. The oil is struck at from 1,250 to 1,500 feet.

Another marked feature of the oil region is the tanks for the storage of the oil, which vary in capacity from 250 to 3,500 barrels. They resemble huge tubs, are covered on top with boards, and housed or shedded over. The tanks are sometimes struck by lightning; in a single storm in October, 1885, several were thus

destroyed. Very little else was destroyed but the tanks. No flames of consequence were seen, but immense volumes of smoke poured forth, which seemed as a protection, acting as an impenetrable curtain to outside objects.

The Black Swamp tract, in which this county partially lies, has been the scene of much unwritten history in the early settlement of the country. Father Finley -a sketch of whom is elsewhere given in this work-has preserved a pleasant anecdote connected with the war of 1812 in his sketch of the life of an eminent Methodist minister, Rev. William H. Raper. At the time he was a lad of nineteen, and volunteered in the company of Capt. Stephen Smith, of Clermont county, which marched to the frontier. From his brightness, notwithstanding his youth, he was chosen sergeant.

THE BLACK SWAMP MUTINY.

A day or two before the battle of the Thames, Raper's company was told to march up the lake some fifteen miles to prevent the landing of the British from their vessels, and the engagement took place during their absence. This circumstance rendered it necessary for his company, which was now the strongest, to be put in charge of the prisoners taken by Commodore Perry and Gen. Harrison, and march them across the State to the Newport Station in Kentucky.

His superior officers having been taken sick, the command devolved upon him. It was a responsible undertaking for so young an officer. The company consisted of 100 soldiers, and the prisoners numbered 400. Their route was through the wilderness

of the Black Swamp, which at that season was nearly covered with water. In their march they became bewildered and lost. For three days and nights they wandered about in the swamp without food, and became so scattered, that on the morning of the third day he found himself with a guard of only twelve men, and one hundred prisoners. Seeing their weakness the prisoners mutinied, and refused to march. No time was to be lost; Raper called out his men, commanded them to make ready, which they did by fixing bayonets and cocking their guns. He then gave the prisoners five minutes to decide whether they would obey him or not. At the expiration of the last minute the soldiers were ordered to present arms, take aim, and-but before the word "fire," had escaped his lips, a large Scotch soldier cried "hold," and

stepping aside, asked the privilege of saying a word to his companions it was granted, whereupon he addressed them as follows: "We have been taken in a fair fight, and are prisoners; honorably so, and this conduct is disgraceful to our king's flag, not becoming true soldiers. Now," said he, "I have had no hand in raising this mutiny, and I propose that all who are in favor of behaving themselves as honorable prisoners of war shall rally around me, and we will take the others in hand ourselves, and the American guard shall stand by and see fair play." This speech had the desired effect, the mutiny was brought to an end without bloodshed, and Raper delivered his prisoners at Newport. They had among the prisoners two Indians, whom Raper forced at the point of the sword to lead them out of the swamp. After Raper's arrival in Newport he was offered a commission in the regular army. Such was his love for his mother that he would take no important step without consulting her. The answer was characteristic of the noble mothers of that day. My son, if my country was still engaged in war and I had fifty sons I would freely give them all to her service, but, as peace is now declared, I think something better awaits my son than the camp-life of a soldier in time of peace. In 1819 Raper became a minister in the Methodist Church, and while travelling in Indiana, upon the first visit to one of his appointments, a fine, large man approached him, called him brother, and said: I knew you the moment I saw you, but I suppose you have forgotten me. I am the Scotch soldier that made the speech to the prisoners the morning of the mutiny in the Black Swamp. After we were exchanged as prisoners of war, my enlistment terminated. I had been brought to see the justice

of the American cause and the greatness of the country, and I resolved to become an American citizen. I came to this State, rented some land, and opened up a farm. I have joined the Methodist Church, and, praise God! the best of all is, I have obtained religion! Not among the least of my blessings is a fine wife and noble child. So come,' said he, dinner will be ready by the time we get home." And the two soldiers, now as friends and Christians, renewed their acquaintance, and were ever after fast friends.

At another time Raper met with a singular accident while riding to one of his appointments. Swimming his horse over a swollen creek, the horse became entangled and sank, but with great effort he managed to catch hold of the limb of a tree overhead, where he was enabled to rest and hold his head above water. While thus suspended, the thought rushed upon him, Mother is praying for me, and I shall be saved." After resting a moment he made an effort and got to shore, his horse also safely landing. His mother, ninety miles away, that morning awoke suddenly in affright with the thought upon her, William is in great danger,' when she sprang from her bed, and falling on her knees prayed for some time in intense supplication for his safety, until she received a sweet assurance that all was well. When they met and related the facts, and compared the time, they precisely agreed.

This hero of the Black Swamp died in 1852, closing a life of great usefulness. Father Finley says of him that he was an eloquent preacher, a sweet, melodious singer, was filled with the spirit of kindness, while his conversational powers were superior, replete with a fund of useful incidents gathered from practical life in camp, pulpit and cabin.

DELPHOS, on the border line of Van Wert and Allen counties, and on the T. St. L. and K. C.; P. Ft. W. and C.; D. Ft. W. and C.; C. and W.; P. and C. railroads, lies within the oil and gas belt of Northwestern Ohio, seventy-four miles southwest of Toledo, and in a country of great fertility. The Miami and Erie canal divides the town into two nearly equal parts. The post-office is in Van Wert

county.

Newspapers: Courant, E. B. Walkup, editor; Herald, Democratic, Tolan & Son, editors and proprietors. Churches: one Presbyterian, two Methodist, one United Brethren, one Catholic, one Christian, one Reformed, one Lutheran. Banks: Commercial, R. K. Lytle, president, W. H. Fuller, cashier; Delphos National, Theo. Wrocklage, president, Jos. Boehmer, cashier.

Manufactures and Employees.-The Ohio Wheel Company, 62 hands; Hartwell Bros., handles, neck-yokes, etc., 14; Delphos Union Stave Company, 23; Pittsburg Hoop and Stave Company, 50; L. F. Werner, woollen yarns, flannels, etc., 8; Steinle & Co., lager beer, 60; Toledo, St. Louis and Kansas City R. R., car repairs, 100; Weyer & Davis, hoops, etc., 17; Shenk & Lang, Miller & Morton, flour, etc.; Krift & Ricker, D. Moening, builders' wood-work.-State Report 1887. Also Empire Excelsior Works, Delphos Chemical Works, pearlash, etc. Population in 1880, 3,814. School census in 1886, 782; E. W. Greenslade, principal. Delphos was laid out in 1845, directly after the opening of the Miami and Erie canal. The different portions of it were originally known as Section 10, Howard, and East and West Bredeick. Its general name for many years was Section 10.